Journalistic IntegrityJournalistic Integrity

By: By:

Journalistic Integrity Journalistic Integrity

Journalistic integrity is beingJournalistic integrity is being

FAIR!!!!FAIR!!!!• Confidentiality of sourcesConfidentiality of sources• Accuracy Accuracy • Let the people know that they can count Let the people know that they can count

on you to give a fair and honest on you to give a fair and honest reporting of the world around them. reporting of the world around them.

• People rely on YOU!People rely on YOU!

Areas of ConsiderationAreas of Consideration

ObjectivityObjectivity SourcesSources Accuracy Accuracy Slander and libel considerationsSlander and libel considerations Harm limitation principle Harm limitation principle

ObjectivityObjectivity

Reporting NewsReporting News

Without BiasWithout Bias

In balanced manner In balanced manner

SourcesSources

Test the accuracy of information from all Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.never permissible.

Identify sources whenever feasible. Identify sources whenever feasible. Always question sources’ motives before Always question sources’ motives before

promising anonymity. Clarify conditions promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in attached to any promise made in exchange for information. exchange for information.

Keep promises. Keep promises.

AccuracyAccuracy

Double and triple checkDouble and triple check Don’t automatically rely on sources, Don’t automatically rely on sources,

follow upfollow up Do background on sources and make Do background on sources and make

sure they are reliablesure they are reliable Do not put your career and this Do not put your career and this

company’s reputation on the line for company’s reputation on the line for a story you a story you thinkthink is true is true

Consequences of Incorrect Consequences of Incorrect ReportingReporting

Viewers/readers lose trust in youViewers/readers lose trust in you They are your audience, without them, They are your audience, without them,

your job loses meaningyour job loses meaning Journalistic community loses respect Journalistic community loses respect

for youfor you Loss of career – Dan RatherLoss of career – Dan Rather

Slander & LibelSlander & Libel

Remember – the truth cannot be libelRemember – the truth cannot be libel Accuracy is importantAccuracy is important Slander suits can subject you to Slander suits can subject you to

litigation in states far awaylitigation in states far away

Harm Limitation PrincipleHarm Limitation Principle

Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. by news coverage.

Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjectsinexperienced sources or subjects

Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief. photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.

Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity. Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity. Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of

sex crimes.sex crimes. Balance a criminal suspect's fair trial rights with the public's Balance a criminal suspect's fair trial rights with the public's

right to be informed.right to be informed.

ConclusionConclusion

RememberRemember People count on youPeople count on you Be fair and objectiveBe fair and objective Be accurate and reliable Be accurate and reliable Be trustworthyBe trustworthy

Recognize that gathering and reporting Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.arrogance.